Kidhar hai! Kidhar hai!. Review on Bhoot

Preamble

A month or so back when my younger daughter’s Class X Board examinations results were declared, one of my friends here on MouthShut suggested I take her to see Bhoot as a reward. Not being a movie buff, I was not too open to the idea of spending three hours in a theatre in these summer months. A few days later my daughter informed me that the next movie in the club open air theatre was Bhoot and suggested that we go and see it. I agreed because seeing a movie in the open air theatre gives an opportunity to catch up with friends and is more of an occasion for socializing than for seeing the movie. I decided I would spend most of the time at the open air bar with my favourite drink, while my wife and daughters saw the movie. My elder daughter said, “Papa it is a scary movie by Ram Gopal Verma. You will enjoy it.” I asked “Who is Ram Gopal Verma?”. She said, “Papa come on . Your GK is very poor. He is a famous Film Director who makes horror movies. I am sure you will be too scared to go to the bar in between.” Appologies to Ram Gopal Verma .

My lack of knowledge about movies got me thinking. I thought to myself ok let me seriously see the movie for a change. Before the movie started, I got the brilliant idea of writing a review on the movie. Me writing a movie review! I was laughing inwardly. A review on BHOOT. With the decision made, I sat down in real earnest to make a mental note of all people related with the movie and memorise all the titles and credits. In order not to be distracted in between, I charged my glass in advance and placed an order for the next before hand. I was serious now. Being all set, I was looking forward to the start of the movie. There was a large crowd. At dot 8 PM, as it grew dark, the movie started. Here goes I said. Me seriously watching a movie! A horror film!

Credits

I read the first few credits and was sure I had the names clearly imprinted in my mind, but by the time I reached the third or fourth title, I had forgotten the first. And by the time I reached the end, I only remembered the well known cast and of course Ram Gopal Verma, for that was the last of the credits and I had got an initial dose on that from my daughter. I didn’t give up. I said ok forget the credits I am sure the movie will be great. A horror film!

The Start

Vishal (Ajay Devgan) going around with a property dealer looking for a house. There couldn’t have been a worse start. A sure give away. The hero on the look out for a house to start the horror. The property dealer shuddering on the mention of a building. No bang. No initial impact. Was it to be horror in slow motion? The name of the movie and the mention of a lady having fallen off the balcony of the house was another give away. Ram Gopal Verma I am sorry. I thought that with your name and fame, you would have thought of some novel way to start the movie. A horror film devoid of horror? I was hoping that further down the way we may have greater impact of horror. God. Make the horror really horrifying to justify the name.

Waiting for the “HORROR” to begin

After every scene I kept saying to myself “now comes the horror”. Scene after scene went by but the horror was eluding. A few strange sounds; showing the branches of a tree as the building looms into view; a shadow of a lady and a small boy appearing in between was all the horror. All this was perhaps to horrify Swati (Urmila Matondkar) and not the audience. She truely was horrified. Her expressions, her looks, the terror clearly visible in her eyes were the best part of the movie.

Even the killing of the watchman while Swati was sleep walking was done in such a decent manner that it did not evoke any response from the audience. It could have been handled in a better way to enhance the horror.

A major part of the movie was devoted to Vishal going to or returning from office and parking his car. It must have been shown some 10 to 15 times. If some sound effects had been added to the parking of the car or a black cat had crossed his path and snarled or some such thing, it would have added to the effect.

Nana Pataker as the inspector and Seema Biswas as the maid provided the comic relief. Seema Biswas looked more like an inmate of a Mental Asylum than a maid. Who would keep such a maid in the house? I am sure I would not. But was there any need of comic relief when there was no horror?

Alas! It was a damp squib. It turned out to be a horror film bereft of horror.

Performances

Urmila has given a sterling performance, however her performance was in vain as it did not have the desired impact on the audience. Probably it will have an impact on her career. Ajay Devgan has played his part well. He truly acts like a concerned and loving husband. Rekha, Victor Banerjee and Tanuja too minor roles to play to leave any major impact, but their stature is sufficient to carry them through. Fardeen Khan hardly hand any role and looked confused rather than acted out a role.

Conclusion

The film ended before the horror could get to you. You kept waiting for the horror to get to you but in vain. However I will recommend that everyone who loves movies should see this movie to know how a horror film should not be made.